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Saturday, February 17, 2018

USA v Chile: looking forward

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USA men's Eagles look to run their unbeaten 2018 record to three and zero as they take on Rugby Chile, Los Cóndores, today in Fullerton on the campus of Cal-State. Kickoff at 3pm MST will see the Eagles third defense of their Americas Rugby Championship (ARC) won last spring in Argentina.

Thus far Los Cóndores have lost heavily to Argentina XV on the trot in Tierra del Fuego at Estadio Augustin Pichot last weekend and they opened their 2018 ARC account a fortnight ago with narrow defeat, 14-16, to Brazil at home in Santiago. The big, South American birds are flush in their backline, but nevertheless will have their work cut out for them as their hosts three-quartersline have begun to gel well. Ryan Matyas, who'd a brace of splendid scores against Canada, is hot right now, though he's not listed on today's roster nor is Glendale halfback Shaun Davies. Raptors engine, Ben Landry, gets a start in the combustion station, also the predators standoff-inside center combination of Will Magie at 10 and Bryce Campbell at 12 are fronting the first fifteen. The match may be viewed live via subscription at 3pm MST on therugbychannel.tv

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Uruguay, currently level with USA at 2-0-0, plays host to Argentina XV at Punta del Este in what is certain to be a loveless battle of attrition. Argentina will be looking to beat Los Teros by a bunch and then hope Uruguay will defeat the Eagles on the last weekend of the circuit, March 3, to stay in the running for the ARC trophy. Los Teros will look to continue the quest for their first ARC title by topping their old enemy this RugbyDay.

... and in the True North, Canada go against Brazil at Langford on Vancouver Island in what is shaping up to be a determinant contest about the basement. Brazil have a road win already this season and will like a pair as the Tupis are not numerically out of the running for the cup if they work their numbers right. Rugby Canada have a different outcome entirely in mind.